Toledo, Ohio – A tragic incident unfolded in Canton, Ohio, as a 53-year-old man named Frank Tyson died in police custody after being handcuffed and left face down on the floor of a social club. The officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave as the investigation unfolds.
The police body-camera footage released on Wednesday revealed the sequence of events leading to Tyson’s death. It all began with a report of a crash at the American Veterans post, where Tyson was found by Officer Beau Schoenegge. The crash, which severed a utility pole, prompted a swift response from law enforcement.
Despite efforts to calm the situation, Tyson resisted being handcuffed and repeatedly expressed his distress by saying, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff.” Officers restrained him, even using a knee on his back, as he pleaded with them that he couldn’t breathe. This tragic plea for help echoed similar instances in the past where such calls were disregarded.
As the officers proceeded to detain Tyson, they failed to recognize the severity of his medical crisis. It wasn’t until moments later when Tyson became unresponsive that CPR was initiated, but sadly, he was pronounced dead at a hospital less than an hour after the incident.
Following the autopsy conducted by the Stark County Coroner’s Office, Tyson’s remains were released to a funeral home. Family members, including his niece Jasmine Tyson, expressed dismay at the handling of the situation, describing the events captured in the video as “nonsense.”
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation is actively looking into the incident, with a focus on determining any potential charges related to the use of force. This investigation will shed light on the circumstances surrounding Tyson’s death and provide clarity on the chain of events leading to this tragic outcome.